Beams for hyperbolic paraboloid roofs

ABSTRACT

A method for erecting roof beams for a hyperbolic paraboloid roof or the like utilizing a pair of beams connected at their ends by hinge means so as to be pivotally movable in one plane with respect to the other.

United States Patent 1 1 Hodess Nov. 12, 1974 [22] Filed:

1 BEAMS FOR HYPERBOLIC PARABOLOID ROOFS [75] inventor: Paul T. Hodess, Cambridge, Mass [73] Assignee: Creative. Building Systems, Melrose,

' Mass.

Aug. 2, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 384,934

52 us. C1. ....s2/74s,52/90 51 im. Cl. ..E04g 21/00 [58] Field ofSearch... ..52/645,745,l48, 122,

52/123, 120, 741, 90, 146; 135/4 R, DIG. 1

[56 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,014,870 1/1912 Gamer 52/148 7/1912 Holland 52/745 1,446,296 2/1923 Irvin 135/4 R 1,846,496 2/1932 Mills 2,415,240 2/1947 Fouhy 2,962,034 10/1960 Finlayson 135/4 R Primary Eramimr-Juhn E. Murtngh Attorney. Agent. or Firm-Joseph Zullcn [57] ABSTRACT A method for erecting roof beams for a hyperbolic paraboloid roof or the like utilizing a pair 01 beams connected at their ends by hinge means so as to be pivotally movable in one plane with respect to the other. 1

1 Claim, 10 Drawing Figures BEAMS FOR HYPERBOLIC PARABOLOID ROOFS expense and time over previously known beam struc- BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the erection of structures having hyperbolic paraboloid roofs. In particular, it relates to a method forerecting beams for such a roof.

Prior to this present invention, it was necessary to erect special scaffolding towers and employ a large number of workmen to position and connect roof beams to one another. It should be noted that these beams are joined to be positioned at an incline from vertical or horizontal planes and typically span large distances such as 130 feet or more. In addition, a con-. siderable amount of time was consumed in accomplishing this erection procedure.

One object of the present invention is to provide a method of construction and assembly of roof beams for a hyperbolic paraboloid roof or the like which will eliminate the need for scaffolding towers, precise beam positioning and both reduce the bracing to a single plane and allow the peak connection to be made at a ground level.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The present invention provides amethod of construction and assembly of roof beams for a hyperbolic paraboloid roof or the like. The roof beams utilized are the same nature as those previously used in the construction of a hyperbolic paraboloid roof, such as large laminated wood members. In accordance with the present invention, however, the selected roof beams are modified as indicated below and are erected in a different manner than previously described roof beams.

The roof beams are modified so that at one end a cap is secured to the beam. The cap is typically fabricated of steel plate with extensions so that when the two beams are brought against one another the plates can mate so that they may be pivotally connectedby a transverse bolt acting as a hinge pin. The beams are then turned so that one rests on the other. Lifting straps are attached at the top and at a calculated lower position selected so that the beam will approximate its final and best position during the erection process. The pivotally connected pair of beams is then lifted together until both beams are free of the groundQone beam hanging at the desired angle to the horizontal plane while the other beam hangs plumb. This latter beam is then pulled into its final" position by appropriate lifting means. While retaining these angles, the pivotally connected beams are then lowered into abutments, which are typically steel seats on previously constructed foundations. Guy wires, which have been previously attached at the peaks, are then secured. Other beams in the frame continue to be erected in a similar manner. The structure is made rigid when the roof shells are connected to the beams. The guy wires can be released when the structure is stable.

It is preferred to pass tensile beams across the upper hinged connection passing stresses through to the major compressive mambers and to tensile members applying forces from the other direction. One form of tensile connection is to form a V-shaped steel member which fits in the V-shaped form of the hinge.

By utilizing the novel hinge beam and assembly technique of this invention, a structure having a hyperbolic paraboloid roof has been erected in a structurally sound manner with a substantial saving in personnel,

tures and assembly techniques.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the description and claims which follow taken together with the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows two roof beams which are intended to be used in accordance with this invention. The beams are shown as placed on a horizontal support before being moved closer to one another for joining.

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged perspective view of an end cap used with the beams.

FIG. 3 shows a partial sectional view of the two beams illustrated in FIG. 1 after they have been moved together and joined by the hinge pin (21).

FIG. 4 illustrates the two joined beams turned with various lifting accessories in place.

FIG. 5 shows an enlargement of a portion of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing how a crane lifts the two joined beams so that one beam (12) is now plumb.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing attachment of a second crane to the plumb beam.

FIG. 8 shows the final position of the pair of connected beams placed there by the cranes with the final guy wires in position. I

.FIG. 9 is a perspective exploded view of the end portions of a pair of beams transverse to the beams in FIG. 8, showing the V-shaped tensile connections.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a portion of an assembly of roof beams made and erected in accordance with this invention.

SPECIFIC EXAMPLE OF INVENTION Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated therein two elongated beamsll and 12 which are intended to form two roof beams of a hyperbolic paraboloid roof. The illustrated beams are made of wood, and because of their size and weight are actually bolted assemblies of two beam elements. Thus, beam 11 comprises beam 11a bolted to beam 11b by means of bolts 11c. In a similar manner, beam 12 comprises beam element 12a bolted to beam element 12b by bolts 12c. These beams are placed so thay they rest adjacent to one another on supports 13. End caps'14 and 15 are attached to the ends of beams 11 and 12 so that their gusset plates 16, 17 and 18 and orifices 16a, 17a and 18a register with one another. Each end cap is provided with chambers 19 and 19a for receiving the ends of the beam elements which are then firmly attached by bolts through orifices 19b.

When the two beams 11 and 12 are moved together, the gusset plates of the end caps interlock so that they may be pivotally attached by means of bolts 21. At this juncture, guy wires 22 and 23 are attached to bolt 21.

After the two beams 11 and 12 have been pivotally attached at one end, the two beams are turned 90 to the position shown in FIG. 4. At this point, various lifting devices are attached, including nylon lift bands 24 and 25, lifting cables 26 and 27, tag lines 28-33 and bottom lift band 34. The beams at this point can rest-on low supports such as boards 41 and 42.

The next step in the process of erection is to have a crane lift the pair of pivotally connected beams on the beam 12 which is connected to a second crane. By manipulation of the two cranes, the two beams 11 and 12 are raised so that their. lower ends seat in ground abutments 38 and 39 but have their upper portions in the proper position, maintained that way by means of the guy wires 22 and 23.

After this pair of beams has been thus positioned, more permanent connection is made at the abutments 38 and 39 and the cranes are now free to lift other pairs of similarly connected beams until all the roof beams are in proper position.

As a further feature of this invention, a tensile connection can be placed across the hinged portion of the position beams, as illustrated for example in FIG. 9. Transverse beams 51 and 52 have welded V-shaped end caps 51a and 52a which fit into one another and into the V-shaped opening at the top of the connection between beams 11 and 12 and are then welded into position to provide the tensile connection.

I claim:

1. A method for erecting roof beams for a hyperbolic paraboloid roof or the like comprising the steps of at- I taching the ends of each pair of opposing beams with abutment, the hinge portion being temporarily stabilized by the guy wires, and then attaching the beams to the abutments in a permanent fashion; said guy wires being removed after the structure has been perma-- nently stabilized. 

1. A method for erecting roof beams for a hyperbolic paraboloid roof or the like comprising the steps of attaching the ends of each pair of opposing beams with hinge means, attaching guy wires to the hinge means, and placing the pair of hinged beams in the desired position by first lifting one beam to the required angle and position while the second beam hangs loose, then lifting said second beam to the required angle and position, and then placing both beams on a suitably prepared abutment, the hinge portion being temporarily stabilized by the guy wires, and then attaching the beams to the abutments in a permanent fashion; said guy wires being removed after the structure has been permanently stabilized. 